Prior to Joshua taking the leadership of Israel and preparing to take them into the land God had promised, Moses once again encouraged the nation toward faithfulness to God. They had witnessed God’s power to deliver them from enemies, keep their clothes and sandals from wearing out (Deuteronomy 29:5), and provide the water and food needed to sustain them. They had also received the commands of God. God’s power to sustain should have been clearly understood. What He expected of His people also should have been very clear.
This speech of Moses seems to actually begin in chapter 27, but note the encouragement of this part of Moses’ reminder to the nation. We read. . .
“(11) For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. (12) It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ (13) Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ (14) But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14 ESV)
The message has come to us. It has been recorded in the Bible so we may read it on a daily basis. Is the Gospel message complicated? No! It is a relatively simple message of hope through entering into a relationship with Christ Who redeems us, by His blood, from our sins. (note 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) God’s message is near us. We have much of it internalized. We talk about the teaching. It is close so we will obey it.
Praise God, He has made His Will clear. Praise God, He has left us a record of it! Praise God, we don’t have to search high and low and far away to find it. He has provided it if we will accept it. May we continue doing so!
Have a great day KEEPING HIS WORD NEAR!
Carl
